Posted by SueTLC

Author Ian Rankin has given a new interview on BBC radio with Simon Mayo (download here) where he mentions his friend and neighbor in Scotland, J.K. Rowling. In the middle of this interview, Mr. Rankin notes that while he has not seen the Harry Potter author in some time, he said she “was working on her Harry Potter encyclopedia” and “drawing family trees for all the characters, going back generations.” This of course is not a surprise as Jo has said many times in the past that she is working again on various projects, as highlighted last year when she confirmed she was writing again in cafes, and has often expressed her desire to create the definitive encyclopedia of the beloved Harry Potter world.

Please note, as exciting as this is, we stress that it is important to release Mr. Rankin did not say or imply the Scottish book was to be released any time soon, again just noting he had seen her working on the book aka “The Scottish Book” as she first referred to the name during the interview with PotterCast in December, 2007.

Thanks to all who owled!

175 Responses to Ian Rankin Says JK Rowling “Writing Family Trees” and Working on Scottish Book

bettb says: OH HAPPY DAY!!!Bad-Muggle says: Good stuff! Can't wait to get my hands on the Scottish book! auror_in_training says: Awesome! Looks like the "Scottish Book" is shaping up to be just as thorough as we all hope it will be. I can't wait to see the family trees! Yay Jo!xxIBelieveInNarglesxx says: OMG,so freakin' exciting,i can't wait for the Scottish Book( i really do hope it'll be called The Scottish Book :)placebowiz says: oh snap!cheeserpleaser says: This is fantastic news for all of us Harry Potter fans. I wish her the best of luck as she undertakes the task of formulating this encyclopedia and hope it is a rich addition to the universe she has conceived. That said, I also look forward to other projects on which she is apparently working. It will be interesting to see her pen directed toward areas outside of the Potterverse.PewterWolf says: SQUEE!!!
Though am VERY happy Jo's writing again, didn't Ian once say that she would be writing a crime book (I know it was a joke, but we went into hyperdrive so am on the side of caution - Oh, bother that, SQUEE!!!)Ekhetrima says: Odd... I can't find the preorder for the Scottish book on Amazon. ;)gingersnap188 says: Yay! Scottish Book!gryffindor1991 says: i cant wait for it to be released. ill be so happy!!!!!!!! cosmo409 says: This is great to hear! Even if it means that the Scottish book won't come out in the near future, at least it means she is writing! The world has been without Jo for far too long. Fresca says: This is great news. i can hardly wiat to see those family trees, they should be fascinating. Yeah!hermionerules1844 says: I'm so, so happy! I hope all the bookstores have midnight release parties for it! i want to dress up my entire family this time.axlgirl says: YES YES YES!!! This is the greatest news EVER!! =Dtayler18 says: Awsome news, so happy and now i acnt wait! love how she is making family trees!skiving snackboxes says: awesome!!!!!cztery says: oh, i'm soo happy CissyMalfoy says: SQUEE! These are awesome news!readthroughthenight says: A squee is building up inside me, *runs outside and screams* yeah, that got itGraymayne says: I really hope that Jo is finding this work fun and not a deadlined grind. She has given us so much pleasure and fun with her HP saga, that we must wish her well and possess ourselves in patience until she emerges from her Potterverse and presents us with another treasure.infernumflame says: Excellent. Even if it's a very long way from being finished (which seems almost for sure), it's good to see she's working on it.Mr. Brightside says: This is brilliant! Squeeee!!kayzz says: That's really freakin' awesome. I kinda hope she waits until all the movies come out so we can have some more media hype and premiere fun. The thought that she is "writing in cafes again" just stirs up so much hope and happiness for me. McTricks says: YAY!!! This is so exciting!silvia_storti says: SQUEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think any other comment of mine is needed :)HBPFan says: I wander how long it will take to finish? No matter, will wait for it with eagerness!!TheGriff says: Yay! The Scottish Book!! I don't care how long it takes, i just want to own one!Fifi says: YYYYAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!izziewitch says: Fantastic!! But, Mr. Rankin isn't exactly a reliable source, is he? Could be just kidding as he did before. Maybe Jo will put the trees on her website--that would be so amazing.ScottMan says: How exciting! I hope she's taking her time and having fun with it. No pressure, Jo!thundermountain7 says: happy happy day. i can't wait, it would be so funny if it was called the "The Scottish Book" I am soooooooooo excited but if it takes her ten years i will wait.thundermountain7 says: happy happy day. i can't wait, it would be so funny if it was called the "The Scottish Book" I am soooooooooo excited but if it takes her ten years i will wait.chrisbDTM says: yayySelgy Gaunt says: "The Scottish Book" sound like "The Scottish Play" aka Macbeth wounder if there is a connection? cant wait for the encyclopaedia! -MischiefManaged- says: OMG *squeeeeeeeeeeeee*! :)Parkinsonpansy says: YAY!!!!!!!!!!!ScarStruck says: OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! ANYWAY *breathe* ok woooooooooooooo EEEEEEEEE sooo awesome! happy day!Giant Squid says: I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!HPNAIV says: OMG OMG!
That's all I have to say! :DHufflepuffler says: Yay! Can't wait.moony_lupin says: Glad to hear that Jo is writing again. She can take as long as she likes to compile the Scottish Book, she deserves it. XDPetra says: Can't wait!!! I hope there will be midnight release parties, cause I want to go. This will definitely be book on my shelf!!! :)lunalovegood97 says: I can't wait for the Scottish book!eaglephot says: Harry Potter and the Scottish Book! WOO HOO!BeAchL0veEr05 says: I want this to come out so bad!HeartbreakDX says: OH YES YES YES!mstevens1312 says: OH finally! I don't think I can wait much longer! Thanks Jo!!!WON_TWO says: The more Jo writes, the happier I get...april_showers says: I feel like he is always talking about her.
Not that I'm complaining. I LOVE JKR news! alpaca-girl says: That will be so cool to see! :o) Who can't say they arn't SUPER excited?!?!Noble Birth Descending says: I am anxious to read ANYTHING new that she has written!juhuudi says: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!! :) cant wait!!!!!!!ascendancy33 says: OH MY FREAKIN' MERLIN/GOD (LOL even though i'm a non-believer)! THIS IS THE BEST NEWS EVER! It has made my day.................... can not wait for it of course, and the family trees are AWESOME, count on JKR to be extra-through! Luce_depp says: wow this book is going to be amazingDiamondWings says: Cool!DiamondWings says: So Amazing!!!vespasian68967 says: This would be great...if it would be true. I guess we'll know when we know. But at least it gives us something to hope for! HPHealer says: As exciting as this is, I CAN wait quite a while for this book. I think the longer Jo takes to write this, the more info it will contain. Plus, I am worried that she will not do anything else potter after the Scottish Book. I want to extend the excitement!Kara000 says: Aww Awesome. That totally rocksKatetheKeeper says: Even if it isn't confirmed, this makes me so SQUEEFUL!!!LulubelleI says: sweet!butterbeer bottle says: YAY!!!!!!! As much as I hope it comes out soon, I don't want Jo to rush itwandmastercalum says: Woo proud to be scottish. Thank god she made the family trees. It was just one of those things that needed to be there.clashcityrocker13 says: I can't wait!jenbabe705 says: I hope this book is so big it takes her years to finish!fantasylover12001 says: Yay, I'm glad she's writing again. I can't wait till the encyclopedia comes out and the Scottish book sounds interesting. Do we have any idea what it's about?Dlcohm7 says: YAHOO!!!! So happy to hear this. I squeeled when I read it.I hope she takes a long time to write it too. And that it is a very long,big,fat,book,tee hee.Will take me months to read.Ok,well I can dream a little right?Hope it's long.Well,at least we have one more of HP book wise,to look forward too left.Thank You Jo!KimberlyZ says: i hope it comes out soon!! a harry potter encyclopedia would be AWESOME! KimberlyZ says: i hope it comes out soon!! a harry potter encyclopedia would be AWESOME! EmilyDeibert says: YYYYYYAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!
They better have midnight releases =)EmilyDeibert says: Woops. Sorry for the triple post. I get impatient xDEJohnson1988 says: I can't wait! I hope it comes out soon!slwarren says: Squee!!!!!!!! This is fantastic news. I can be patient waiting for the Scottish book to be released...just knowing that Jo is working on it is enough for now.maimiaa says: awesome! this is such great news :D RHrSoulmates says: If this is true, it's VERY exciting news! If this came out within a year or so after DH8, that would be great timing but I'm set for the long haul as well.Blatcher914 says: oh my goodness!! I'm so excited just to hear that she is actually still in the porcess of writing, possibly right now, at this moment, It's all happeningpromote_elfish_welfare says: Yes!! I'm so excited!! monicahp2009 says: hmmm, , , I really hope she calls it the Scottish Book, that would be a true wink and nod to us Harry Potter fans.becmajec says: I was just talking about this with someone the other day. It will be amazing when it is released, but I'm not holding my breath for it to happen any time soon. becmajec says: i think it will be called something else but she will have "otherwise known as 'The Scottish Book' " written on the cover or cover pages, if not she will at least mention it in the foreword or whatever...Wingardium Leviosa says: I cannot wait for the encyclopedia! It will be amazing!hglovesrw says: They really should name it The Scottish Book when it comes out. That's what we all call it!
terieb says: hooray hooray hooray!!Shalanarah says: YAY! so excited!!!! Best news EVER!!!hermionerules1844 says: This is the most exciting news I've heard since the release date of the Half-Blood Prince movie!-MischiefManaged- says: I truly hope that once the Scottish Book (aka the encyclopedia) is finally released, there will be countdowns and midnight release parties and all that jazz. Being new to the book fandom, I've missed all the HP book release parties they've held over the years. :( Though with the last two books, I did go see the queues here in Helsinki, but because I wasn't into the books back then, I didn't stay all night. And it certainly didn't even cross my mind back then to fly over to London for a midnight release party or for some of those Jo's reading sessions. But now, if the Scottish Book will ever become reality and if they are going to hold midnight release parties for it, I will definitely do my utmost to be there. In Gryffindor costume, doing the whole fan thing. And I don't care how old I am when it happens. :)FloridianFlounder95 says: **Squee** **Dies** 'Nuff said.lollifant says: Great news!! I hope she's really enjoying writing the Scottish Book and she can take whatever time she needs! Only the fact that she's writing it makes my day!! You're brilliant Jo!!!Jane_Potter says: Great news!!!!girlatty1 says: I sure would like to see her notes.margareth_6teengal says: this will be amazing.... for sure.... only the best...newwmoon says: OMG ^^ yaaaay!x_Potter_Lover_Forever_x says: *SQUEEEE, SQUEEEE, SQUEEEE*
*OMG!!! THIS IS SOOOOOO AWESOME!!!*
This is the best news ever!!! I know I shouldn't be getting this excited but it's soooo hard not too. I hope the release date comes soon I mean what with the update from JKROWLING.COM it's gotta come soon, right???!!!!...... XD XD XD
*BEST NEWS EVER!!!!!!* french soup says: finally some news of JK xXjalawood says: FAMILY TREES!
And now I actually understand why it's called The Scottish Book! YAY SHAKESPEARE!justanargle says: exciting family trees :) !!!!BewareoftheNargles says: OOOOOOOOOH! Family trees! Scottish book! Yay! I love JKmjkalldaway says: Everyone's been waiting for JKR to write another book, even if it's not HP relatedwing says: gooooooooooooooooooooodwing says: gooooooooooooooooooooodwing says: gooooooooooooooooooooodwing says: gooooooooooooooooooooodAsta says: good! i wonder when it's gonna be released...i can't wait to have a look at those family trees!Asta says: good! i wonder when it's gonna be released...i can't wait to have a look at those family trees!Asta says: good! i wonder when it's gonna be released...i can't wait to have a look at those family trees!Asta says: good! i wonder when it's gonna be released...i can't wait to have a look at those family trees!Asta says: good! i wonder when it's gonna be released...i can't wait to have a look at those family trees!Dawna says: Ooooh! Cannot wait! nutela17 says: that`s fantastic
i cant wait
i hate waiting^^HermioneRon4ever says: Can't wait for this book! We all need another one! Though I'm still hoping she'll do a second series about the kids :)
Maybe we'll get a release party :)Niphai says: This makes me REALLY happy.. YAYMatea says: woo hoo. more of Harry Potter. praise the Lord!!!Wendelin the Weird says: Yay, awesome news. This is so exciting! :)Linnyish says: SCOTTISH BOOK!!!
So. Ex. Cit. Ed.hermionenluna says: YES!! mugglemom4 says: Squee Squee Squee! MiliMalfoy says: OMG OMG OMG! I am so excited =D That's great news!! KarliMeaghan says: *jumps up and down* I can't wait!!!crazyforSeverus says: I would love to read the Encyclopedia. And I will definately be reading whatever book J.K. Rowling writes next, Harry Potter or not :)entoptic says: Doesn't this mean that there won't be any books based in the Potter universe? If she's writing a detailed encyclopedia about the world, wouldn't it make it very difficult to write another story based in that world?
I'm not thinking of a Harry Potter related story, but one having to do with either it's past or future, relating to some other character.halfbloodprincesss says: maybe the book's characters will make sense in how they relate to each other because its like sirius is tonk's cousin, who is bellatrix's niece who is draco's aunt...etc. it all gets so confusing =] i'm happy for her and i hope it gets released soonweasleygirl101 says: OMG! SQUEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! This is very xciting news ! Can't wait !HereticPrincess says: this would be great!!!!!!!!! :DFereverto says: OMG! It's REAL! I want, I want, I want! :DJaneMarple9 says: What great news. OK, we know "The Scottish Book" won't be out anytime soon, but it shows that Jo is keeping busy!RemsyLuck says: YOU GO JO! Write family trees, and maybe even give us more backstory on the adult characters in your ecyclopedia! <333owanalilypotter says: GOOD LUCK JO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Life is good!
I'm did a little happy dance when I read this seriously^_^Ganduean-Vampiress says: YAY!!!! i can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!Robbie Rowe says: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is brilliant news in my opinion! I ought to check that out whenever it gets released. Should be worth the read, yes? I wonder will JKR all ways stay in the Harry Potter world while she is writing or venture into new areas???? Whichever it is, I wish her well. xAnaheyy says: YES ! WOOOOOOOOOOO ! THE SCOTTISH BOOK IS COMMINGGG ! *dies* this made my day ! :) but Jo probably wants to include EVERYTHING in the Scottish book so take your time Jo :D !Asi says: The day I get it will be my best day, I already feel it!RaWr...WeReWoLf says: omg that's soo AWESOME!!!!!JTEL99 says: Oh cool, she's still working on it!!! :Dlisajean65 says: OMG! This is so exciting! I wonder if that is why "Do Not Disturb" is on the door on her website? Lisbry says: Great! Best news I've heard all day! And I haven't had a pretty bad one actually. Can not WAIT. Even though I sort of at the same time want to, seeing as the book will probably turn out a lot better if Jo takes her time and doesn't feel to pressured. I think. Either way, great news that she's working on the SB anyway. :D lexuslovesweasleys says: BEST Day Ever I cant Wait To Get The Book It Is Going To Be Great Hermione Elizabeth says: YAY! The Scottish Book is going to be awesome! I'm glad she is taking her time on it, so that she makes sure it's perfect! Not Slytherin says: Go ahead, Jo!bookgirl3000 says: YAY!aj_ellybean says: I'm gonna be doing some serious fangirly squee-ing when she completes the Scottish Book. Anyone with me? :)jasmineflower27 says: CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!! :):)OldMrToad says: Awesome indeed. I'm really looking forward to it's publication.
OMTsnapes_half-blood_princess says: <333 happiness :)Catherine says: OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!!!
HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!AudreyLouiseLovegood says: <3!!!AudreyLouiseLovegood says: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
AudreyLouiseLovegood says: ACCIO SCOTTISH BOOK!!!cghambright says: I HOPE SO!!! I want that book!! Maybe it will be released by the time DH part two comes out!! *fingers crossed*cerizesicat says: oh i hope it comes out soon!hufflepuffpride says: That would be hilarious, if she actually titled the book as "The Scottish Book".Slytherin4Life says: This makes me so freaking Happy. If I die tomorrow, Which I hope I don't, I will die a Happy Woman, because JKR is working on the Scottish Book. :DDDDDhrslvr529 says: YA! YA! YA! Thank you! CANNOT WAIT!!!Mrs.Brisby says: Eeee, exciting! We figured she was working on it, but it's still exciting to get some kind of confirmation, right? :) No rush Jo, take your time. :)Ravenclaw98 says: best news!!theREALGinnyWeasley says: YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!! OH MY GOD I CANNOT WAITstarlesswinter says: Hmm...you'd think that with all those fabled "boxes and boxes of notes", she'd already have this stuff written out, right? Yet another mark against the seventeen years of planning.loony_luvgood says: omg!!!! I'm soooo excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this soooo made my week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!harrygetsme says: sweeeeet! i can't wait.harrypotterjunkie232 says: omg i can't wait 2 read da encyclopedia!!!!! and 2 c the family trees!!! YAYYAYYAYFigment says: I can't wait! I am very much looking forward to this book!!!MercyMercy says: Yes! I'm so happy she's writing more. It'll be interesting reading about family trees...MercyMercy says: Yes! I'm so happy she's writing more. It'll be interesting reading about family trees...HGROSS44 says: Way to go JO kep them comming you write so well very interesting to say the least.alegria35 says: awesome...im really excited for this book to come out. Hope it's near...-MischiefManaged- says: *@starlesswinter*, may I be so bold to ask, what are you trying to say? I mean, are you doubting Jo's words on the "fabled boxes and boxes of notes" because you think she's really a witch who's gotten a special permission from the Ministry Of Magic to breach the Statute Of Secrecy and tell Harry's story to the world at large? Or are you doubting her because of something more sinister? Because you don't believe her?
I personally have no reason to doubt that Jo wouldn't have those boxes and boxes of notes. However, having piles and piles of papers and boxes full of notes does not mean that putting together the encyclopedia would be fast, that the Scottish Book would practically compile itself. Quote the contrary, in fact. Jo has to go through every single note and piece of paper, many of which could be hand-written, and that's just a start. I'm not particularly familiar with writing encyclopedias but I'm guessing that putting together something as huge as the Scottish Book would be quite a complicated matter, involving a lot of decision-making and (re-)writing. She has to decide, for example, how to group and categorise things, how to present the entries, what kind of text style or register to use (somehow I can't see her using a rather dull and boring encyclopedia-style register but rather the same style and register she's used in the books), etc. And, she also has to decide, for sure, whether she's ever going to write something new to bridge the gap between the end of DH and the Epilogue. If not, she can include the information in the Scottish Book. And so on.jrivas1284 says: That is great news I am exciting to read this, I hope is not to far away... Good luck Jo. We love you!!!!!RaytheforgottenWeasley says: I await scholastic's owl about the publicationDanielaNC says: This just made my day. Just to know she's actually working on it is amazing!MidnightSun321 says: YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if i was her i would be making like grand-kids, great grand-kids etc etc! but them i am a crazy HP fan!!!!Lunabelle7 says: That's, exciting, though! Thank you, Jo! :)Zoom says: THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!friendofblob says: SQUE.dcsbelle says: Woo Hoo! The Scottish Book, The Scottish Book!Rowling Stones says: squee-
scottish book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LoveTomRiddle says: I can't wait to see the Potter family tree! My sister actually made a Black family tree!! its on Wikipedia.org (not my sister)